Gov't critics hold protest in Haiti's capital

Sep. 30, 2013
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A demonstrator adds cardboard to burning tires blocking the capital's main street during a protest against the government of President Michel Martelly in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Monday. / Dieu Nalio Chery, AP

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Riot police in Haiti broke up the tail end of an anti-government demonstration that drew thousands of people marking Monday's anniversary of the 1991 ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

A handful of protesters responded by setting up fiery barricades that blocked a major thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of downtown Port-au-Prince.

Critics of Haitian President Michel Martelly had gathered under a heavy police presence Monday morning and then proceeded to march through the capital's shanties, all Aristide strongholds. The initial crowd swelled to several thousand people.

Some of them demanded that Martelly resign because of corruption allegations while others protested the absence of elections.

Riot police fired tear gas at the demonstrators after they veered from the approved route.

Haiti was supposed to have held legislative and local elections two years ago. But infighting among the different branches has delayed the vote.

Martelly has said officials will hold the elections this year, but that looks unlikely.

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